Residents of the Town of Newburgh gathered at town hall on Sept. 5 for a second public hearing on the Britain Woods housing development, a project proposed along Little Britain Road that has faced local resistance.

The public hearing was kept open by the planning board to allow more input on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), a document outlining the potential environmental impacts of the project, as well as alternatives and mitigation measures.

Britain Woods is a proposed development featuring 11 multi-family buildings with a total of 258 units, along with a recreational clubhouse, pool, athletic courts, and exercise rooms. The development would be located along Route 207.

Engineer Ross Winglovitz, of Engineering & Surveying Properties, addressed comments raised in the first public hearing, focusing on concerns about traffic safety, volume, sight distance, and site access. He stated that a left-turn lane had been added to the project, following multiple reviews by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). “The DOT has already reviewed this [project] three times,” Winglovitz said.

Winglovitz also updated traffic and crash data along the affected roadways, as the accuracy of traffic data presented in the DEIS was questioned during the first hearing.

Planning Board Attorney Dominic Cordisco clarified that no new submissions had been made by the applicant and that all existing project documents were available on the town’s website. “The concerns are all being recorded by our stenographer and... will need to be responded to in a document called a final environmental impact statement,” Cordisco said.

Several residents recounted personal experiences with traffic accidents along Little Britain Road, some of which led to property damage.

Resident Mark Stellwag questioned DOT approval, the design of walking paths, and the ownership and maintenance of the project’s sewer line. Winglovitz responded that while DOT had not yet issued approval, the walking paths were still under review, and the sewer line would be built by the developer and potentially turned over to the town.

Stellwag also raised concerns about traffic visibility. “That line of sight is still a concern to me,” he said. “I know they’re talking about a left-hand turn, but... traffic coming out of the city as we go from a 30 [mph zone] to a 45 [mph zone]... that’s where the line of sight is challenged.”

Resident Vanessa Nisperos echoed concerns about traffic at the intersection of Little Britain and Old Little Britain roads, while also emphasizing the need for affordable housing. “We do need housing... but if it’s going to disrupt the residents... then the risks for drivers need to be accounted for,” Nisperos said.

Matt Gallagher urged the planning board and developers to consider the broader environmental impact of the project, citing disruptions to forested areas and the cumulative effects of other nearby developments.

Traffic Consultant Ken Wersted from Creighton Manning provided updates on the Little Britain and Old Little Britain Road intersection, noting that the DOT is conducting a study to determine necessary improvements. “The DOT is looking at that specific intersection... it is in the process,” Wersted said.

Patrick Hines of MHE Engineering said his office was reviewing public comments and would provide further analysis. “The comments from the public... helped us target some specific areas to review,” Hines said.